Bridging Two Cultures: Mexican High-School Students Talk about Their Stay at F+U Academy of Languages

08.04.2017

F+U Academy of Languages is hosting a new group of Mexican high-school students this spring. The 78 students aged 16 to 18 will stay in Heidelberg for almost four months to learn German in our school.

The German course is part of a cooperative project between F+U Academy of Languages and Mexican education provider Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey which was started many years ago. During their four-month stay in Heidelberg, students attend German classes in the mornings and regular classes according to their Mexican curriculum in the afternoon. Courses are being complemented by a diverse activities programme organized by F+U Academy of Languages including trips to nearby cities such as Strasbourg, Frankfurt, or Zurich, a trip to the Europa-Park pleasure ground, and a skiing trip in January.

During their stay, our Mexican guests commute between our language school and the F+U Campus. Their daily 10-minute train ride helps them knowing their way around the city of Heidelberg, and our Mexican guests are enthusiastic about the possibility of using public transport, saying that “it’s too dangerous to use in Mexico”, but helping them to stand on their own feet in Germany. Asked about their motivation to learn German, they reply that Germany is a country with great opportunities to study and has promising career prospects. After graduating from high school, many of them plan to study medicine, biology or a technical programme at a university or university of applied sciences in Germany.

What do they like best about Germany? “I think it’s great so many people from different nations get together in Germany. That is also reflected in both food and music,” says Luis, 17. Ramiro, who is 16, thinks that Germany’s architectural styles are impressive and appreciates German punctuality. Leticia, Susana and Andrea, also 16, are happy about Germany’s rather cooler climate, as “it’s much too hot in Mexico!”

How did they like first-time experiences like skiing? “I enjoyed it a lot,” says Leticia, “though I kept stumbling and fell down many times. But I stood up again every time I fell and kept trying.” Despite their manifold positive experiences in Germany, all our Mexican students miss the delicious Mexican food from home.

We hope our guests continue to enjoy their time in Germany, wishing them lots of fun and success in Germany & hoping that we’ll meet again someday soon!